Bhubaneswar, July 3: The Odisha Vigilance has arrested two Panchayat officials in Puri district for misappropriating Government funds to the tune of Rs 30,78,620 earmarked for vulnerable beneficiaries under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).
The accused persons have been identified as Sulamani Jani and Tuna Pradhan, former PEO of Sahupada Gram Panchayat under Kanas Block.
Jani committed the fraud during his tenure as the PEO of Gadamrugsira and Jamarsuan Gram Panchayats under Sadar Block while Pradhan committed the illegal act while serving as as the PEO of Sahupada Gram Panchayat under Kanas Block in Puri disrict.
The accused duo is implicated in two separate cases of systematic financial fraud.
After the misappropriation came to light, Jani has been attached to Sadar Block Office while Pradhan has been attached to Gop Block Office.
As per a Vigilance communique, an extensive investigation revealed that the accused officials exploited their administrative positions between the years 2022 and 2025 to orchestrate the fraud. Further, both the accused officials namely were found to have misappropriated Rs 15,74, 820 and Rs 15,03,800, respectively meant for elderly, disabled, and destitute individuals, by retaining the undisbursed amount and diverting to their gain.
Both accused Government servants are being forwarded today to the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance in Bhubaneswar.
